[QUOTE=EmmaD;3233169] I seem to have no restraint once I give myself permission to go a little bit "off plan."QUOTE]

I have this same problem!!!

So my only hope is to stay "on plan" for long enough that I don't jettison off into outer space every time I'm near a bag of potato chips (I'm talking about the "good" ones, all-natural - NO CONTROL once I start munching those) or whole wheat digestive biscuits (also no control). Random, I know, but those were my most recent binge-y treats.

But except for Easter Sunday (which wasn't really that bad calorically - just some ridiculous choices!), I've been eating well and easing back into the exercise plan as well. Sadly, though, my weight is creeping up with these life improvements. I hate that! I maintained my weight on a lot of potato chips and cookies and little exercise. Then I buckle down only to see the scale go up.

Whatever. I am trying to focus on my actions and not on the stupid scale. Plan my meals, stick to the plan, exercise daily (even just a walk).

I'm not even that bummed about the scale. I guess I'm used to it. I haven't really been below 140 in a couple of years, so it was too good to be true when I saw 139.5 for one day. I'm still on track for my "End of 2010" 1.5 lb/month plan, too.

to all of you for posting your ups and downs. Even if I don't address all of you personally, I just wanted to let you know that you are providing a great service in helping others (me!) stay sane in the face of slow, or even backward, progress. We're in it together!

EmmaD, I totally and completely feel you. I have been there myself too much. Somehow allowing myself to go "off course a little" seems to open the flood gates and suddenly I am up in weight before I know it.
The thing to concentrate on is that you are back on track. I always feel proud of myself when I get back up again.

kellost-I offer each of my kids the opportunity to "sell" us their candy in exchange for a "prize/present". I set a $20 or so limit on their present to keep it reasonable, but 2 of my 3 almost always take me up on it. I do it at Halloween too. Just an idea for the future. My friend gave me the idea. She actually doesn't make it optional...she calls it the "candy fairy" and the kids set out their baskets/candy that night (Easter, Halloween, etc.) and the candy fairy comes and replaces the candy with presents/gifts.

I am having a crazy time trying to get back in control.

I go out in the yard and work all day and then come in at night, take a shower, sit in my chair and the eating and drinking begins.
I have to work in the yard today - we have a whole stack of logs to move and I still have lots of plants to get in the ground.
Love doing the yard work so that is not the problem.

I just saying how this change in my daily schedule has thrown my whole control for a tailspin. I am up 3 pounds!!!

I will try again tonight. I will have a big salad this afternoon - maybe that will switch off the snacking machine.

Thanks for the advice, ladies--what kills me is I HAVE shaken things up. I've gone from working out 4-5 days per week for 30-45 minutes to working out 6-7 days per week for 45-60 minutes, and I'm gaining! I'm hoping it's just my body retaining weight while my muscles adjust, but it's still frustrating to see.

I was looking through old pictures last night with my boyfriend--it's strange for me because I show him pictures from 30 lbs. heavier than I am now and 30 lbs. lighter, and he sees an incredible difference but I just don't see it. Does anyone else have trouble seeing differences in themselves, even in pictures? Like I guess I kind of see that I am smaller, but not really. I can still pick out the fatty parts on myself from when I was really small.

Stella, I absolutely have that problem! Only it's not just pictures, I look in the mirror and wonder "and where on earth did that twenty lbs go? I don't see a difference." But my big droopy pants tell part of the story, and all the nice comments I've received tell the rest. Right now I'm debating about bringing my goal weight down another five to ten lbs, but I'm not sure if I really should or if it's my own head games.

Danni, when I work outside, I have to stop and eat every 2-2.5 hours, I can't let myself get ravenous or I'll scarf everything down.

stella, are you weight training or doing just cardio? Maybe do les cardio and make it more intense, do hills, intervals... Lift heavier if you are lifting... Just some thoughts...

Well, I am doing well, the scale is down from post Easter bloat, all is good .... For now

Hi ladies....back after an Easter bender.....will spend today getting seriously back on track. Until then, feel too crummy to say much more....

danni hang in there girl! I'm having a really hard time right now, too. It's so hard because once a routine is disrupted, it's so easy to get completely derailed. Let's both get back on board!

Ilene I'm happily in the same boat as you! It looks like my weight gain from two days WAY off plan was mostly water - I'm back down to 149. I have to say, it's a huge relief. It would take me ages to lose an extra 3.5 lbs.

Well, we're well into the April "blah" weather here. I'm so ready for summer. I need to take a page from Danni's book and start working in the garden, this year will be an extra challenge since we have a summer house with it's yard to take care of, too.

Hope you all have a lovely day!

I'm down over a pound this morning! This is huge progress for me since I sat so long at 139ish. I'm thrilled to see this new food plan is working and I feel satisfied! I must've been kidding myself before about eating right, because this is REALLY working faster than I thought it would.

Stella-That's frustrating! Are you eating enough? Drinking enough? I only workout about 5 days a week now and hope to always do that. I think 6 (and definitely 7) makes me worn out. Everyone's body is different, so you may require more or less calories than someone else. I know ladies on here that consume at least 500 more cals per day than me at the same weight and they function best there. Don't give up! You are the scientist experimenting with your own body to see what works. It's not for the faint of heart, but you can do it! Pictures is usually the only place I CAN see progress. Sometimes day-to-day I can't see differences, but when I compare old pictures to now, WOW! I've lost a bit more though, so that may help me. It is a mental hurdle for most people to see themselves accurately after some weight loss. Try taking some before and after pics with a bathing suit on or something, so you can see more all over. Measurements also help to fight the mental battle. Those numbers don't lie. You ARE losing inches!

danni-I love being outside and doing yardwork (most of the time) too. All I can say is hydration and good protein (with fresh fruits and veggies) help me tremendously!

good morning ladies
im sorry to hear that so many of you are having a tough time. all i can say is Keep Going!!!! lol we all know that it will be worth it in the end.

im 126 this morning. when i was in 6th grade, about half way thru the year we got measured and weighed for health. on that day, i was 5'3" and weighed 120 pounds. today, im still 5'3" and i weighed 126 pounds. i almost back to my 6th grade weight!! (which was my lowest weight at this height, and was also prior to the hips and boobs).
my current goal is 118, but depending on how i feel i may move that down to 111. i know that is starting to seem low, but according to BMI i can be 105 before i go into unhealthy BMI. 111 was one of my secret goals, that i was too afraid to admit because 50 pounds ago, that seemed crazy! ill just have to reach 118 first and see how i feel. my goal has gone down several times, (from 140-135-123-118) so moving it down again wouldnt be too big of a deal.
anyway, hope you ladies are doing fabulous. good luck with today.

100percentME-Out of curiousity, what has prompted you to keep lowering your goal weight? Is it because you're going for a certain look or just what feels good on you? Just curious. I wonder when I hit 129 (maintain 125-129) if it will feel like the "right" weight. I think it will, but I see many are shooting lower and I could see myself adjusting mine down 5 pounds or so too. I guess it's all in how you wear it and what feels good on each person.

Thanks for all of your support - I needed it!

I have been eating good all day - making sure I get in the protein.
I will really try to out smart the Snack Moster tonight.

Ms and Silver - good for you. You guys keep our train moving while we try to get back on board.

I am hungry and tired. I know that this is because it is Wednesday and my off day is tomorrow. I hope that I can make it through today without bingeing because it feels so good to be losing. Correction: I know that I can make it through the day without bingeing.